The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, announced that the student loan application portal will open on May 24, 2024. This will allow students to apply for loans to support their education.
A spokesman for NELFUND made the announcement on Thursday stating, Nasir Ayitogo, “The management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, is thrilled to announce May 24, 2024, as the official date for the opening of the portal for student loan applications.”
Ayitogo explained that the portal is designed to be user-friendly, enabling students to submit their loan applications easily. “We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation,” he added.
Students can access the portal at [http://nelf.gov.ng](http://nelf.gov.ng) to begin their applications.
The launch of the portal is a significant step in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to making education accessible to all Nigerian students. The Students Loan Law established NELFUND to handle all loan requests, grants, disbursements, and recoveries.
The initial launch of the scheme was scheduled for September but was delayed until now.
The delay occurred because President Tinubu wanted to expand the scheme to include vocational skills loans.
After a briefing from the NELFUND team on January 22, the President directed that interest-free loans also be available for students interested in skill-development programs.
President Tinubu emphasized the importance of this expansion, saying, “This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas. This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.”
He further instructed NELFUND to explore opportunities for incorporating skill-development programs. “Not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” he said. “We must cater to those who want to develop practical skills as well.”
Through the new portal, students can now access the financial support they need to pursue their educational goals without financial constraints.
